LCD panel loading rates saw November boost

Sony and in-houseLCDTV requests helped push the loading rate of Samsung factories to over 90 percent in November, research by DisplaySearch has found.

It also pointed out that glass input volumes in Gen 7 and Gen 8 were increasing, especially for TV panels from 32 inches to 55 inches.

Although LCD monitor panels are produced in Gen 8, including 18.5 inch and 21.5 inch displays, Samsung did not increase monitor panel production volumes in this sector and it was notebook panels which were found to be the main products in Samsung’s Gen 5.

DisplaySearch found that LG was “aggressive as usual” with an average loading rate in each factory being over 90 percent. Mobile phone panels were said to be high on the agenda for LG Display, especially iPhone 3.5 inch displays, and those for other main brands of smartphones, which resulted in the loading rate for Gen 5 and smaller LCD factories to be almost full loaded.

Taiwanese companies took an aggressive line too. In November, Taiwanese panel makers raised loading rates gradually, with most of the increasing glass input volume for large-area LCD panels. They are not however increasing production volumes for small and medium size panels.

Average loading rates of Gen 7 in November was 85 percent with companies making LCD TV panels with glass input volumes for 40 inches, 42 inches and 46 inches. LCD monitor panel production has also increased. Production volumes of notebook panels increased in November, but the 75 percent loading rate of Gen 5 was not raised as aggressively as that of Gen 7.

AUO was pinpointed as “intending” to control inventory volumes. However it was Chimei InnoLux that did the best here. It was found to have a rising loading rate from Gen 5 to Gen 8, which was due to strong demand from big business such as Foxconn.

The loading rate from Gen 5.5 to Gen 7 was around five to 10 percent higher than October and most increasing production panel units were for LCD TV panels. Chimei InnoLux also increased monitor panel output units, which are the main product in Gen 5.5. The loading rate rose to 90 percent in November up from under 60 percent in October.

CPT and HannStar did not raise loading rates aggressively in November. Both panel makers shifted more and more capacity to small and medium panels. The average loading rate of both panel makers was around 60-70 percent. Small and medium size panels will be the most important product for HannStar in 2011, the company said.